COVID-19: Lagos CBD Clamps Down on Recalcitrant Shop Owners , As SSG Hosts Nigerian Defence Academy Team

Operatives of the Office of the Special Adviser on Central Business Districts have sealed some shops within the Lagos Island Business District for violating the COVID-19 trading hours issued by the State Government to shops as part of efforts to contain the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde disclosed this on Friday, warning other recalcitrant traders, who are in the habit of trading beyond the 3.00 pm stipulated time, to desist or have their shops equally sealed.

While decrying the nonchalant attitude of some traders towards obeying the COVID-19 directives, the Special Adviser declared that his office will enforce all the health safety guidelines issued by the State Government to flatten the curve of the dreaded disease in Lagos.

He, therefore, called on traders and visitors as well as business owners within the business district to adhere strictly to the stipulated COVID-19 directives issued by the Lagos State Government and relevant authorities.

The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, has received members of the Nigerian Defence Academy team in preparation for the NDA 72 Regular Course Screening Test coming up on Saturday, 15th August 2020.

Addressing the delegation, Mrs. Jaji thanked the NDA team for coming to Lagos to conduct the exercise, adding that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is very much interested in ensuring that the State Indigenes are fairly treated and given equal opportunity to prove themselves, like other applicants across the country, during the screening test.

She also urged the team leader, Lt. Col. Abdullahi Babandi to ensure that the COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed by the shortlisted candidates and officials, stressing that the officials of the State Ministries of Health and Education will be available at the two test centres to monitor activities and compliance level.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Cabinet Office, Mrs. Kemi Durosinmi-Etti told the team leader that the Office must be carried along at every stage of the recruitment exercise.

She requested that the office should be availed the number of Lagos State Indigenes that registered in all the States of the Federation and, thereafter, the number of successful candidates.

Lt. Col. Babandi, in his response, appreciated the State Government for its continued support to the Academy on sensitisation of Lagosians and provision of logistics for the team, promising to address the issues raised with the Registrar.

He said the Screening Test would hold at 7.00 am, simultaneously, at Command Day Secondary Schools at the Military Cantonments in Ikeja and Ojo, for all the shortlisted candidates.